Book Notes

Book Notes

March 05, 1995|By WILL MOLINEUX Daily Press Editor of Editorial Page

DAMPIER ON DISPLAY. The Mariners' Museum has selected as the celebratory 75,000th volume to add to its library "A New Voyage Round the World" written by British navigator, surveyor and buccaneer William Dampier in the late 1600s. This three-volume work chronicles Dampier's expeditions to North America, the West Indies, South America and Australia. It is believed that Dampier's description of the aborigines in Australia inspired Jonathan Swift to write about Gulliver among the Yahoos. The books contain details, charts and maps, as well as drawings of fish, birds, plants and other wildlife that Dampier encountered during his adventures. The Dampier books will be on display beginning March 24 in an exhibit of the museum library's most notable holdings.

BLACK HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX. Dr. Tommy Bogger, university archivist at Norfolk State, and the Black Church Cultural Affairs Committee of Middlesex County have written and published a history of black residents of Middlesex County. One of the chief purposes of the book, according to two committee members, is to help young people to develop more pride and self-esteem from the "rich legacy of achievement which their forefathers have contributed." The research for the book is based on a review of official records in the county courthouse, church and family histories and interviews with longtime residents. The book is titled "A History of African-Americans in Middlesex County, 1646-1992." For additional information or to purchase a copy, contact Sherman T. Holmes Sr., Route 1, Box 330, Saluda 23149 or call him at 758-2182.

REGIONAL WRITERS BOOKSIGNING. Several area authors will turn out on "Authors' Corner" at the second annual great outdoor celebration to be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Pembroke Avenue location of McDonald Garden Center in Hampton. Scheduled to autograph copies of their books are Skip Miller, author of "Tidewater Fishing"; Robert Arthur, author of "Hymn to The Chesapeake"; L.B. "Bob" Taylor Jr., author of "Ghosts of Virginia" and other books of ghost stories; Pat Vermillion and Dottie James, creators of "An Artist's Book"; Daria Kelleher, author of the young readers' book "Defenders of the Universe"; Heidi Hartwiger, author of "A Gift of Herbs" and other titles; Sherri Brennen, author of "Better Living Tips"; Dorothy Mitchell, author of "All About Birds" and Mary Wakefield Buxton, author of "Help! I'm Being Held Captive in Virginia!" and other titles. For additional information, call 722-3094.

LECTURE ON RARE BOOKS. Thomas R. Adams, librarian emeritus of the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University, will speak on collections of rare books at 7:30 p.m. March 14 in the Botetourt Theatre of Swem Library on the campus of The College of William and Mary. Adams, who has been associated with libraries of rare books for 40 years, is a former member of the Council of the Institute of Early American History and Culture in Williamsburg. Dealers, collectors and librarians who work with materials relating to the American Revolution have long been familiar with references to "Adams." They refer to his two bibliographies, "American Independence, The Growth of an Idea: A Bibliographical Study of the American Political Pamphlets Published Between 1764 and 1776 Dealing with the Dispute Between Great Britain and Her Colonies" and "The American Controversy: A Bibliographical Study of the British Pamphlets Dealing with her American Colonies, 1764-1783." Adams' lecture, entitled "George Parker Winship: Rare Books and Special Collections in 20th-Century United States," has been arranged by the Friends of the Library at William and Mary and by the Williamsburg Bibliophiles. It is open to the public without charge.

AUTOGRAPHING SESSION. Louise Eubank Gray of Saluda, author of "Reflections: Windows on the Past" and "A Patchwork Quilt: Life on a Virginia Farm, 1910-1920," will autograph copies of her books between 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday at Waldenbooks, 1401 Greenbrier Parkway, Chesapeake.

A MAGICAL WRITER. Jim Baker, journalist, retired foreign service officer, magician and author of 13 how-to magic books for children and columnist with The Virginia Gazette, will speak at noon March 12 at the author luncheon of the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church Book Club. Baker's topic will be "The Right Place at the Write Time." The luncheon is open to the public and tickets are $7. Reservations should be made by Thursday by calling 229-4235.